Over the weekend, severe storms spawned tornadoes causing widespread damage across the South. In Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Virginia, strong tornadoes ripped roofs off homes, overturned cars, uprooted trees and downed power lines.

As of Monday, more than 250 disaster workers have provided 690 overnight stays, served more than 20,000 meals and snacks, and distributed more than 1,250 bulk supplies such as cleanup and comfort kits to residents in affected states. With government officials reporting more than 40 deaths from the tornadoes, Red Cross disaster mental health workers are helping people cope with their loss.

Since the end of March, the Red Cross has offered assistance to people affected by 35 major disasters in 20 states. Each year the Red Cross spends an average of $450 million providing disaster relief and maintaining the resources needed to get help to people 24/7. There is no other non-governmental organization that can respond to disasters on the size and scale of the Red Cross – but we rely on donations from the American public to be ready to respond every day across the country.